Friday 11 September 2026

Shadow Minister for Regional Health and Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster has welcomed amendments passing in the Senate last night to reverse Labor’s heartless cap on much-needed allied health services.

Dr Webster said the Senate had sent another clear message to the Prime Minister, as the Coalition fights to scrap Labor’s $5,000 cap on Veterans’ allied health care.

“Labor has suffered a humiliating blow because it refused to listen to the Veterans’ community,” Dr Webster said.

“Our amendments, which have been passed, would reverse Labor’s heartless cap on much-needed services.

“Labor are the only party in the Parliament defending a policy that turns the health and welfare of Veterans into a supposed $748 million Budget saving.

“Labor should now abandon this policy before it ever takes effect, after the crossbench sided with the Coalition to declare that Labor’s cap on services was cruel and needless.

“It is clear that Labor did not think this through and Labor certainly hasn’t discussed it with the Veterans’ community.

“The best thing the Prime Minister could now do before we get back to Parliament next week is to show good faith to the Veterans’ community is to put these decisions to the side, scrap the cap and then go out and do the consultation.”

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Michael McCormack said he looked forward to the Bill coming back to the House next week.

“Next week, Labor will have another opportunity to listen to Veterans and reconsider this deeply flawed policy,” Mr McCormack said.

“Hopefully, Labor can come to its senses, put politics aside and stand with the men and women who have served our nation.

“The message from Veterans, Ex-Service Organisations and now the Senate could not be clearer: Scrap The Cap.”

The amendments passed during debate at 3:30pm on Thursday afternoon in the Senate.

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